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Mathews Family #1
Under the Orange Moon
Dylan Mathews grew up in a house that was always filled with good-looking guys. However, with her four protective older brothers, they never stood a chance.
Except for one.
Dylan knew she loved Ben McKenna from the first time she laid eyes on him. When he started sneaking in her room, she thought he felt the same way. But just as their passion ignited, he left for college and never came back.
Until now.
Returning home after 5 years, Ben realizes Dylan has always been the one for him. Can he win back her heart and finally find love under the orange moon?
Except for one.
Dylan knew she loved Ben McKenna from the first time she laid eyes on him. When he started sneaking in her room, she thought he felt the same way. But just as their passion ignited, he left for college and never came back.
Until now.
Returning home after 5 years, Ben realizes Dylan has always been the one for him. Can he win back her heart and finally find love under the orange moon?
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 18, 2013
31 people are currently reading
1110 people want to read
About the author
Adrienne Frances
5 books126 followersMother, wife, writer, reader, editor…I believe in three things: God, wine, and the Oxford comma.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews
January 10, 2015
4 Stars
It is no secret that I love a brother’s best friend story. I am not sure what is about these stories that, if done correctly, can leave me with a huge smile on my face. This story did just that.
Dylan Matthews grew up as the only girl surrounded by her brothers and turned into a huge tomboy. This isn’t a story where the girl turned from ugly duckling to beautiful swan, no Dylan was always beautiful. It just so happened she could also keep up with her brothers.
Ben McKenna is her twin brother Jonah’s best friend and always consider one of the Matthews since he was around so much. Dylan being the tomboy she is, was always around the guys. Then one day her feelings for Ben changed into more, she wanted Ben to see her as a girl. She wanted him to want her as much as she wanted him. This wasn’t the case though, as they say boys will be boys.
"Boys are stupid, the never know a good thing until they’ve run it over a few times.”
While it may not seem like Ben is interested, he is. There is something about Dylan. She gets him, accepts him, and calms him. However, Ben’s home life isn’t like the Matthews. While his father is successful and his family is wealthy, his dad left he and his mother when he was younger. Since then his mother has done nothing but instill in him how he is not good enough and just like his father.
So despite Ben’s attraction to Dylan he refuses to let things go any further. Except for the nights they share. Yes, every night Ben comes to Dylan’s room and sleeps with her - just sleeps. Until the last night he is in town before he leaves for school. That night Dylan decides to lay it all on the line and make her move, only to have him leave.
The story picks up five years later and despite them both growing up not much else has changed. Dylan still thinks about Ben and compares every guy to him. Ben still yearns for Dylan but knows he will never be good enough to deserve her.
I really enjoyed this friends to lovers tale and the little bit of sneaking around. I enjoyed seeing the couple interact and seeing how well they knew each other. They were truly friends and knew each other inside and out, I loved the connection they shared. My only compliant is I wish there had been more time for Ben to redeem himself. His character really frustrated me and I would have felt better had I seen more groveling. However, the story is well written and the characters were developed and likable, I just wish Ben could have been more lovable. I will definitely be reading more about this family! Highly recommend if you are looking for a sweet, quick read.
"I have always loved you. Even if you make me go away, just know that I will never stop. I will love you for the rest of my life."
Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
It is no secret that I love a brother’s best friend story. I am not sure what is about these stories that, if done correctly, can leave me with a huge smile on my face. This story did just that.
Dylan Matthews grew up as the only girl surrounded by her brothers and turned into a huge tomboy. This isn’t a story where the girl turned from ugly duckling to beautiful swan, no Dylan was always beautiful. It just so happened she could also keep up with her brothers.
Ben McKenna is her twin brother Jonah’s best friend and always consider one of the Matthews since he was around so much. Dylan being the tomboy she is, was always around the guys. Then one day her feelings for Ben changed into more, she wanted Ben to see her as a girl. She wanted him to want her as much as she wanted him. This wasn’t the case though, as they say boys will be boys.
"Boys are stupid, the never know a good thing until they’ve run it over a few times.”
While it may not seem like Ben is interested, he is. There is something about Dylan. She gets him, accepts him, and calms him. However, Ben’s home life isn’t like the Matthews. While his father is successful and his family is wealthy, his dad left he and his mother when he was younger. Since then his mother has done nothing but instill in him how he is not good enough and just like his father.
So despite Ben’s attraction to Dylan he refuses to let things go any further. Except for the nights they share. Yes, every night Ben comes to Dylan’s room and sleeps with her - just sleeps. Until the last night he is in town before he leaves for school. That night Dylan decides to lay it all on the line and make her move, only to have him leave.
The story picks up five years later and despite them both growing up not much else has changed. Dylan still thinks about Ben and compares every guy to him. Ben still yearns for Dylan but knows he will never be good enough to deserve her.
I really enjoyed this friends to lovers tale and the little bit of sneaking around. I enjoyed seeing the couple interact and seeing how well they knew each other. They were truly friends and knew each other inside and out, I loved the connection they shared. My only compliant is I wish there had been more time for Ben to redeem himself. His character really frustrated me and I would have felt better had I seen more groveling. However, the story is well written and the characters were developed and likable, I just wish Ben could have been more lovable. I will definitely be reading more about this family! Highly recommend if you are looking for a sweet, quick read.
"I have always loved you. Even if you make me go away, just know that I will never stop. I will love you for the rest of my life."
Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
March 26, 2015
2 stars
This book was not for me. For my friends who want a safe read, this is not for you. Ben is a foolish manwhore who is also an asshole. And Dylan is a doormat extraordinaire. Plus, the writing wasn't all that great.
This book was not for me. For my friends who want a safe read, this is not for you. Ben is a foolish manwhore who is also an asshole. And Dylan is a doormat extraordinaire. Plus, the writing wasn't all that great.
March 25, 2013
Review posted at: Swept Away By Romance
GENRE: New Adult
HEAT LEVEL: Mild (you DO NOT miss it!)
ANGST LEVEL: Perfect! Nothing OTT, but there is some angst and real, honest emotion.
HAPPY NEWS: *No* cliffhanger! This is a complete story!!
4.5 Stars
Um...WOW?! Adrienne Frances and UNDER THE ORANGE MOON surprised me in the best possible way! To say I was not expecting this would be an understatement. Honestly, there is just no better feeling than finding a hidden gem like this story and its author!
Ben McKenna returns to Phoenix, Arizona, after a five-year absence. Phoenix does not hold happy memories. It is everything about his life that he would prefer to ignore. His mother has been neglected and is suffering a horrible depression. His father is absent and yet dominates their lives. Both treat Ben deplorably. However, since he was a small boy, the Mathews family has been his saving grace. One member of that family in particular, Dylan Mathews, the only girl in a family of boys, wants to be more than Ben's saving grace. In public, Ben taunts her or ignores her. In private, it's a very different matter. It becomes impossible to continue denying their true feelings, and hope begins to grow that they can make something good together. When tragedy strikes, it affects everyone. Ben and Dylan's feelings for one another are put to the ultimate test.
UNDER THE ORANGE MOON is beautifully simple yet deeply moving. This is a story about a young woman and a young man. This is a story about taking those final steps into true maturity and adulthood. This is a story about joy and being willing to try. This is a story about anger and fear. This is a story about how a parent's loving, guiding hand can remain with us even in death. This is a story about how we're shaped by the personal failings of our parents. This is a story about the constancy of familial bonds...the family we claim by blood and the family our heart seeks out. This is a story about learning to let go of resentment in order to not repeat the past. This is a story about forgiveness. This is a story about love.
Dylan has a lovely, artistic soul. I enjoyed her so very much. Her relationship with her brothers and her mother is real and so much fun to read. It makes me wish I had a brother or two. She loves her family, but she gives back as good as she gets. Her one small blind spot is Ben. On one hand, her love for him is so easy and filled with so much history that she can't help but understand and accept the way he treats her for most of the story. On the other hand, that much shared history should have allowed her to sit him down and have a bit of a come-to-Jesus with him at some point.
Ben is...well, Ben is an angry, angry young man for the majority of this book. Not that he doesn't have his reasons. God knows he does. He buries so much that it's no surprise he drinks and fights. It's no surprise he treats those closest to him very poorly. It may be no surprise, but it's also no excuse. This man needed an intervention. I felt for him at the same time I wanted to slap him and tell him to wake the eff up! He won me over, though, somehow. As the layers of anger and resentment were slowly peeled back, I began to get a glimpse of his heart. Love truly does heal all things.
UNDER THE ORANGE MOON is in no way over-dramatized. It's told in a quiet 'voice' with a deft hand. But, it spoke to me loud and clear. Adrienne Frances thoroughly engaged my emotions from the very beginning and never once let go. My emotions and reactions ran the gamut while reading, including several brief bouts of tears. Hey, it got to me! Okay? And, perversely, I LOVE THAT!! ;-) The ending made my heart sing. I was smiling ear-to-ear while reading!
This is one of those stories that hasn't received the attention it deserves, in my opinion. In a sea of New Adult books, it doesn't have the most rockin' cover. It doesn't have the seemingly all-important social media promotion. It doesn't have the steam factor. What does it have? What it does have is quality. Quality writing and quality storytelling. What it does have is the human element. What it does have is depth. Depth of character and depth of emotion. What it also has, for whatever it may be worth, is my wholehearted recommendation. Adrienne Frances, you wrote a fantastic story, and I sincerely hope to see much, much more from you!
**Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
GENRE: New Adult
HEAT LEVEL: Mild (you DO NOT miss it!)
ANGST LEVEL: Perfect! Nothing OTT, but there is some angst and real, honest emotion.
HAPPY NEWS: *No* cliffhanger! This is a complete story!!
4.5 Stars
Um...WOW?! Adrienne Frances and UNDER THE ORANGE MOON surprised me in the best possible way! To say I was not expecting this would be an understatement. Honestly, there is just no better feeling than finding a hidden gem like this story and its author!
Ben McKenna returns to Phoenix, Arizona, after a five-year absence. Phoenix does not hold happy memories. It is everything about his life that he would prefer to ignore. His mother has been neglected and is suffering a horrible depression. His father is absent and yet dominates their lives. Both treat Ben deplorably. However, since he was a small boy, the Mathews family has been his saving grace. One member of that family in particular, Dylan Mathews, the only girl in a family of boys, wants to be more than Ben's saving grace. In public, Ben taunts her or ignores her. In private, it's a very different matter. It becomes impossible to continue denying their true feelings, and hope begins to grow that they can make something good together. When tragedy strikes, it affects everyone. Ben and Dylan's feelings for one another are put to the ultimate test.
UNDER THE ORANGE MOON is beautifully simple yet deeply moving. This is a story about a young woman and a young man. This is a story about taking those final steps into true maturity and adulthood. This is a story about joy and being willing to try. This is a story about anger and fear. This is a story about how a parent's loving, guiding hand can remain with us even in death. This is a story about how we're shaped by the personal failings of our parents. This is a story about the constancy of familial bonds...the family we claim by blood and the family our heart seeks out. This is a story about learning to let go of resentment in order to not repeat the past. This is a story about forgiveness. This is a story about love.
Dylan has a lovely, artistic soul. I enjoyed her so very much. Her relationship with her brothers and her mother is real and so much fun to read. It makes me wish I had a brother or two. She loves her family, but she gives back as good as she gets. Her one small blind spot is Ben. On one hand, her love for him is so easy and filled with so much history that she can't help but understand and accept the way he treats her for most of the story. On the other hand, that much shared history should have allowed her to sit him down and have a bit of a come-to-Jesus with him at some point.
Ben is...well, Ben is an angry, angry young man for the majority of this book. Not that he doesn't have his reasons. God knows he does. He buries so much that it's no surprise he drinks and fights. It's no surprise he treats those closest to him very poorly. It may be no surprise, but it's also no excuse. This man needed an intervention. I felt for him at the same time I wanted to slap him and tell him to wake the eff up! He won me over, though, somehow. As the layers of anger and resentment were slowly peeled back, I began to get a glimpse of his heart. Love truly does heal all things.
UNDER THE ORANGE MOON is in no way over-dramatized. It's told in a quiet 'voice' with a deft hand. But, it spoke to me loud and clear. Adrienne Frances thoroughly engaged my emotions from the very beginning and never once let go. My emotions and reactions ran the gamut while reading, including several brief bouts of tears. Hey, it got to me! Okay? And, perversely, I LOVE THAT!! ;-) The ending made my heart sing. I was smiling ear-to-ear while reading!
This is one of those stories that hasn't received the attention it deserves, in my opinion. In a sea of New Adult books, it doesn't have the most rockin' cover. It doesn't have the seemingly all-important social media promotion. It doesn't have the steam factor. What does it have? What it does have is quality. Quality writing and quality storytelling. What it does have is the human element. What it does have is depth. Depth of character and depth of emotion. What it also has, for whatever it may be worth, is my wholehearted recommendation. Adrienne Frances, you wrote a fantastic story, and I sincerely hope to see much, much more from you!
**Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
March 7, 2013
"Some day you're going to fall in love. Some day you're going to fail. Someday you're going to be broken. You have to keep the fight inside you-the fight that I love about you. The fight that makes you dylan."
The only girl in a family full of overbearing brothers.
Secretly crushing on her twins best friend Ben McKenna.
Ben returns home for holidays however this time he stares at her differently, but his tormenting banter has remained the same.
This time it seems impossible to stay away from one another
Dylan was the best!! She was so funny.
Her banter with her brothers and Ben were hilarious.
She totally crushes on Ben but can give as much as she gets!
"Well, thats just it. You don't seem vey happy to see me."
Dylan stopped peeling and stared at his face. He was so full of himself that sometime she wanted to slap her own cheek for even holding him in the high regards that she did.
She gasped dramatically. "Oh my lord! Is it really you, Ben McKenna?" She covered her mouth. "My life make so much more sense now that you're home. Take me Ben. Take me now." She let out another fake, girlish yelp and went back to peeling.
Ben has not been home in five years.His mother is depressed and has a certain way of taking it out on him. His father is absent but dominating. His only solace in life are the Mathews, a loving family that Ben has found refuge in since he was a small child. Returning home to find the feelings for Dylan haven't changed only this time he decides he can't stay away.
Their relationship is kept quite with sneaking around until they decide that they don't want to hide it anymore
That's until Ben's life comes crashing down around him, he pushes away the only family that have been there for him. Including Dylan.
The best thing about this story…
Dylan and all her family!
I loved everyone one of them.
I loved all her brothers and how protective they were.
You really do feel for Ben and what his parents put him through.
Still a few times I was like "Oh Ben!! Seriously!!!"
But in the end he can see the love has been there all along.
"You're the girl who loves pink but won't admit it because you're afraid it will make you sound too girly. You're afraid of moths because you think they'll eat your hair, and hate chalk."
"You secretly love Harry Potter movies, and when you were ten you fell off your bike and I carried you home. When your dad died, you only wanted me and cried in my lap. I stopped skateboarding because you were better and I was embarrassed. God, you even throw a football better than me.
And, finally, I'm an asshole, but you loved me anyway"
+ 4 stars +
The only girl in a family full of overbearing brothers.
Secretly crushing on her twins best friend Ben McKenna.
Ben returns home for holidays however this time he stares at her differently, but his tormenting banter has remained the same.
This time it seems impossible to stay away from one another
Dylan was the best!! She was so funny.
Her banter with her brothers and Ben were hilarious.
She totally crushes on Ben but can give as much as she gets!
"Well, thats just it. You don't seem vey happy to see me."
Dylan stopped peeling and stared at his face. He was so full of himself that sometime she wanted to slap her own cheek for even holding him in the high regards that she did.
She gasped dramatically. "Oh my lord! Is it really you, Ben McKenna?" She covered her mouth. "My life make so much more sense now that you're home. Take me Ben. Take me now." She let out another fake, girlish yelp and went back to peeling.
Ben has not been home in five years.His mother is depressed and has a certain way of taking it out on him. His father is absent but dominating. His only solace in life are the Mathews, a loving family that Ben has found refuge in since he was a small child. Returning home to find the feelings for Dylan haven't changed only this time he decides he can't stay away.
Their relationship is kept quite with sneaking around until they decide that they don't want to hide it anymore
That's until Ben's life comes crashing down around him, he pushes away the only family that have been there for him. Including Dylan.
The best thing about this story…
Dylan and all her family!
I loved everyone one of them.
I loved all her brothers and how protective they were.
You really do feel for Ben and what his parents put him through.
Still a few times I was like "Oh Ben!! Seriously!!!"
But in the end he can see the love has been there all along.
"You're the girl who loves pink but won't admit it because you're afraid it will make you sound too girly. You're afraid of moths because you think they'll eat your hair, and hate chalk."
"You secretly love Harry Potter movies, and when you were ten you fell off your bike and I carried you home. When your dad died, you only wanted me and cried in my lap. I stopped skateboarding because you were better and I was embarrassed. God, you even throw a football better than me.
And, finally, I'm an asshole, but you loved me anyway"
+ 4 stars +
February 13, 2015
*********4.5 blissfully happy stars!!!!!********
My mind is a bit sluggish today because I was up until 4AM reading this book that I just COULD NOT put down!! I simply adore long-lost love stories, and Under the Orange Moon hooked me with its sweet prologue about a young Dylan first laying eyes on her Ben. From the moment the precocious 4-year-old was caught peeping out the window on her brothers and their new friend, she had a solid place in my heart, and their love story was just beautiful. This was a surprise gem that absolutely deserves more attention, as does Adrienne Frances for an amazing debut!!
When we first meet grown-up Ben, it's clear right away that he's holding onto some anger. He's bitter over his mother's behavior, and he's furious with his father for his ridiculously high expectations and his lack of any real parenting over the years. I was bracing myself for the moment he walked back into Dylan's life, because it seemed like a cold front was getting ready to blow through. But Dylan had some unresolved angst of her own when it came to Ben, and the teasing but loving banter between them had me thoroughly entertained! Sure, I knew deep down Ben deserved a slap to the head even before I knew what he'd done, but Dylan was such an awesome character that she could jab back when push came to shove.
The family dynamic of the Mathews clan was awesome, they were so close-knit that when Dylan, her brothers, and Ben all reunited, it was like coming home. I LOVED this family!! Adrienne Frances created multi-dimensional characters that each grew on me in their own way, and you can really feel the love between them. Ben has been around almost from the beginning, and seeing the adorable moments he shared with Dylan over the years just makes him that much more delectable!! As he starts to recognize his lack of willpower when it comes to denying himself Dylan any longer (those secret rendezvous in her bed at night didn't help!), the sparks were giving off fireworks between these two!!
Beauty was not hard to come by. Ben could find it easily wherever he happened to glance. It was all around him on a regular basis. Dylan was more than just beautiful, though. She was resplendently perfect. But he could never have her. ~pg. 37
I wanted so badly for Ben to just stop being an ass to keep her at arm's length, but sometimes it takes that old "you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone" concept to really open someone's eyes to what's right in front of them! They were just meant to be together without a doubt, and I was surprised to find myself more than content with their subtle and delicately written love scenes that would usually leave me wanting more. It's a true testament to Frances' writing ability that she was able to get me so entirely engrossed in her work as to alter my usual standards for a great romance story!
There are some heart-wrenching moments and devastating twists that had me glued to the last half of this story, and I was not prepared for just how crushing it would become. Frances does a phenomenal job at stabbing her readers in the heart over and over and over, but she also gives the full picture instead of rushing through to the happily ever after. We get to see Dylan and Ben slowly take the steps they need to move forward, even when they weren't moving closer to each other. It was painful, and there were certainly moments when I wanted to strangle Ben for his actions and for being so blind even though I knew his life hadn't been easy. It was such a moving and challenging journey that these characters took to find their way back to each other, and Under the Orange Moon is a story full of heart that is without a doubt a MUST-read for romance fans!!
This and other of my reviews can be found at: http://www.autumnreview.com/search/la...
My mind is a bit sluggish today because I was up until 4AM reading this book that I just COULD NOT put down!! I simply adore long-lost love stories, and Under the Orange Moon hooked me with its sweet prologue about a young Dylan first laying eyes on her Ben. From the moment the precocious 4-year-old was caught peeping out the window on her brothers and their new friend, she had a solid place in my heart, and their love story was just beautiful. This was a surprise gem that absolutely deserves more attention, as does Adrienne Frances for an amazing debut!!
When we first meet grown-up Ben, it's clear right away that he's holding onto some anger. He's bitter over his mother's behavior, and he's furious with his father for his ridiculously high expectations and his lack of any real parenting over the years. I was bracing myself for the moment he walked back into Dylan's life, because it seemed like a cold front was getting ready to blow through. But Dylan had some unresolved angst of her own when it came to Ben, and the teasing but loving banter between them had me thoroughly entertained! Sure, I knew deep down Ben deserved a slap to the head even before I knew what he'd done, but Dylan was such an awesome character that she could jab back when push came to shove.
The family dynamic of the Mathews clan was awesome, they were so close-knit that when Dylan, her brothers, and Ben all reunited, it was like coming home. I LOVED this family!! Adrienne Frances created multi-dimensional characters that each grew on me in their own way, and you can really feel the love between them. Ben has been around almost from the beginning, and seeing the adorable moments he shared with Dylan over the years just makes him that much more delectable!! As he starts to recognize his lack of willpower when it comes to denying himself Dylan any longer (those secret rendezvous in her bed at night didn't help!), the sparks were giving off fireworks between these two!!
Beauty was not hard to come by. Ben could find it easily wherever he happened to glance. It was all around him on a regular basis. Dylan was more than just beautiful, though. She was resplendently perfect. But he could never have her. ~pg. 37
I wanted so badly for Ben to just stop being an ass to keep her at arm's length, but sometimes it takes that old "you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone" concept to really open someone's eyes to what's right in front of them! They were just meant to be together without a doubt, and I was surprised to find myself more than content with their subtle and delicately written love scenes that would usually leave me wanting more. It's a true testament to Frances' writing ability that she was able to get me so entirely engrossed in her work as to alter my usual standards for a great romance story!
There are some heart-wrenching moments and devastating twists that had me glued to the last half of this story, and I was not prepared for just how crushing it would become. Frances does a phenomenal job at stabbing her readers in the heart over and over and over, but she also gives the full picture instead of rushing through to the happily ever after. We get to see Dylan and Ben slowly take the steps they need to move forward, even when they weren't moving closer to each other. It was painful, and there were certainly moments when I wanted to strangle Ben for his actions and for being so blind even though I knew his life hadn't been easy. It was such a moving and challenging journey that these characters took to find their way back to each other, and Under the Orange Moon is a story full of heart that is without a doubt a MUST-read for romance fans!!
This and other of my reviews can be found at: http://www.autumnreview.com/search/la...
January 6, 2015
Loved this one! This is why I love Goodreads. I was on here and ran across someone's review and downloaded the sample. Before I knew it its 2:30 in the morning when I'm finished reading. lol
I'm such a sucker for sister falls in love with brothers best friend.
I wanted more at the end. But I'm guessing we will get some more of Dylan and Ben in the next book.
I'm excited to move on to more of the Matthews:))
I'm such a sucker for sister falls in love with brothers best friend.
I wanted more at the end. But I'm guessing we will get some more of Dylan and Ben in the next book.
I'm excited to move on to more of the Matthews:))
March 20, 2014
**JODIE'S REVIEW**
“Boys are Stupid. They never know a good thing until they’ve run over it a few times.”
So I started this book because I loved the synopsis and I was sold. It had the makings for everything I love. Childhood Love Story, HOT Protective Brothers, Friend Next Door. I was all CHECK, CHECK, CHECK, and READY TO READ! But then I started and slowly I found myself not connecting. Well, that’s a lie I did connect but it was with the wrong man.
“All the girls like Olerson. He’s Ollie.”
And that’s the thing I did love Ollie, I felt bad for him. I wanted him to win the girl, he was the good guy. The guy that waited in the background and was there just taking it all in. I was connected to him. I was not connected to Ben unless it was an asshole connection. I hated how he treated Dylan, he was arrogant, and I found him immature. Even when I was supposed to feel for him, I found myself saying OF COURSE that is why!! Bottom line if I could ever kick a characters ass, Ben is one I would love to kick. But I guess I should state that Ben has major family issues, MAJOR FAMILY ISSUES. However, I found that as an excuse for him to be a closed off douche and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for his mom, despite her problems. I felt like she was screaming for attention and Ben was just self centered and tired of her. I was more broken for her then him when the situation with her was presented.
“He was his father; his mother had always been right about that. He was selfish, heartless, and incapable of putting anyone before himself."
Yes, that is how I felt about Ben. Then there is Dylan, I loved her. I loved her relationship with her brothers and her mother. I loved that is was written in a fun, real way. The love that the family had for one another flowed off the pages. The love she also had for Ben was also obvious. Ben and Dylan had chemistry and it was something that you could definitely see and feel but at the same time there was something missing. Something that I can’t put my finger one.
“He hates me, Daddy.”
“No, no. It’s just opposite. Ben likes you and that’s why he goes the extra mile to show how much he doesn’t. He’s a stupid boy.”
Well someone should give this to Ben on a t-shirt because he took this too extreme. Bottom line for me this was an okay book, there wasn’t one thing that makes me say OMG READ IT but there was something that made me keep reading it. For that I am going with 3 stars maybe had I had more of a connection with Ben other then I think you’re an asshole I would be more likely to go with 4 or 5 stars.
“You’re the girl who loves pink but won’t admit it because you’re afraid it will make you sound too girly. You’re afraid of moths because you think they’ll eat your hair, and hate chalk.”
“You secretly love Harry Potter movies, and when you were ten you fell off your bike and I carried you home. When your dad died, you only wanted me and cried in my lap. I stopped skateboarding because you were better and I was embarrassed. God, you even throw a football better than me. And, finally, I’m an asshole, but you loved me anyway.”
And that’s the bottom line BEN I THINK YOU’RE AN ASSHOLE but maybe if I had more from you, NOPE still love Ollie so can we just have his story!!
I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
“Boys are Stupid. They never know a good thing until they’ve run over it a few times.”
So I started this book because I loved the synopsis and I was sold. It had the makings for everything I love. Childhood Love Story, HOT Protective Brothers, Friend Next Door. I was all CHECK, CHECK, CHECK, and READY TO READ! But then I started and slowly I found myself not connecting. Well, that’s a lie I did connect but it was with the wrong man.
“All the girls like Olerson. He’s Ollie.”
And that’s the thing I did love Ollie, I felt bad for him. I wanted him to win the girl, he was the good guy. The guy that waited in the background and was there just taking it all in. I was connected to him. I was not connected to Ben unless it was an asshole connection. I hated how he treated Dylan, he was arrogant, and I found him immature. Even when I was supposed to feel for him, I found myself saying OF COURSE that is why!! Bottom line if I could ever kick a characters ass, Ben is one I would love to kick. But I guess I should state that Ben has major family issues, MAJOR FAMILY ISSUES. However, I found that as an excuse for him to be a closed off douche and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for his mom, despite her problems. I felt like she was screaming for attention and Ben was just self centered and tired of her. I was more broken for her then him when the situation with her was presented.
“He was his father; his mother had always been right about that. He was selfish, heartless, and incapable of putting anyone before himself."
Yes, that is how I felt about Ben. Then there is Dylan, I loved her. I loved her relationship with her brothers and her mother. I loved that is was written in a fun, real way. The love that the family had for one another flowed off the pages. The love she also had for Ben was also obvious. Ben and Dylan had chemistry and it was something that you could definitely see and feel but at the same time there was something missing. Something that I can’t put my finger one.
“He hates me, Daddy.”
“No, no. It’s just opposite. Ben likes you and that’s why he goes the extra mile to show how much he doesn’t. He’s a stupid boy.”
Well someone should give this to Ben on a t-shirt because he took this too extreme. Bottom line for me this was an okay book, there wasn’t one thing that makes me say OMG READ IT but there was something that made me keep reading it. For that I am going with 3 stars maybe had I had more of a connection with Ben other then I think you’re an asshole I would be more likely to go with 4 or 5 stars.
“You’re the girl who loves pink but won’t admit it because you’re afraid it will make you sound too girly. You’re afraid of moths because you think they’ll eat your hair, and hate chalk.”
“You secretly love Harry Potter movies, and when you were ten you fell off your bike and I carried you home. When your dad died, you only wanted me and cried in my lap. I stopped skateboarding because you were better and I was embarrassed. God, you even throw a football better than me. And, finally, I’m an asshole, but you loved me anyway.”
And that’s the bottom line BEN I THINK YOU’RE AN ASSHOLE but maybe if I had more from you, NOPE still love Ollie so can we just have his story!!
I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2014
2.5 star read for me. I wanted to like this book but I just couldn't connect. The pacing was slow and by one point in the story the author completely lost me and I didn't care if Ben and Dylan had an HEA or not. I did like how the Meredith issue was handled.
April 19, 2014
*****5- Holy Friggin Angst -Stars*****
~this review may contain minor spoilers~
He moved his hand into her soft hair, gently twirling it between his fingers and letting the ends stroke his calloused skin. It was a perfect representation of them: her deep, flawless beauty against his sharp, jagged, and utterly damaged existence.
Well, knock me over with a feather-this book was incredible. I'm pretty sure I have just fallen under the insta-love spell for Ms. Adrienne Frances and for once, I'm totally okay with it. I am a known angst junkie and this book thoroughly fed that addiction...and then some. Ben spent so much of this book being such a selfish, cocky, stubborn, mean asshat that I wanted to reach into my Kindle and choke the bastard. Dylan was so sweet and feisty but was far too forgiving, she allowed herself to be a doormat for faarrrr too long. At one point, I even screamed 'lock your damn door!!' to no one in particular and scarred the crap outta my poor dog Lol. But these aren't complaints, on the contrary- I love when I get so wrapped up in a book that I forget that these people can't hear me. It was just So. Damn. Good.
He had to be next to her one more time before he left this life behind. He needed to spend his last night in Phoenix lying beside her and basking in the arousal it sparked. He needed anything that would quite his rampant emotions and she was the only one who could do just that... whether she knew it or not.
As the only girl in a house with four older brothers, Dylan Mathews is used to having a steady stream of boys coming in and out of the house all the time. She was kinda a tom-boy as a kid and was more comfortable around the boys anyway so she never thought much of it....except where Ben McKenna was concerned. Dylan has been in love with the 'unofficial fifth Mathews son' for as long as she can remember, but he has always treated her as one of the guys, or a pesky kid sister, as least that's what everyone else sees-but Dylan knows a side of Ben that he shows to no one but her when he sneaks into her room every night. Ben has a pretty shitty home life with an absentee father and a drugged up alcoholic mother, the only thing that brings any sense of calmness to his world are his nights with Dylan. But when their innocent cuddling takes an unexpected passionate turn one night, Ben puts a stop to it and takes off into the night effectively cutting Dylan out of his life completely.
He shouldn't have thought about it; he was angry at himself for allowing his brain to function now, of all times. Nevertheless, he had to stop. This wasn't Dylan, and he certainly couldn't allow a one-night stand to be his last memory of her. Not her. Not ever.
And nothing, not even Dylan, was going to get in the way of his escape.
Now it's five years later, and Ben is back in town. Dylan knows she can't avoid him, he is still best friends with her brothers after all, she was the only one that has been cut out of his life for the last five years. No matter how hurt or angry she is at him, it doesn't change the fact that he still affects her and that just infuriates her even more. She cannot allow herself to fall into his trap again knowing he will pick up and take off once more- that is what he does best after all.
This was his game and she would always be the fool that let him win her over. Even five years later, he still managed to aggravate her, hurting her more than anything. She had always wondered what a run-in with Ben would do to her and now she knew. He was the same Ben that he always had been, with no glint of hope for a change.
His mothers guilt trip is the only reason Ben came home at all, he has no desire to be back in his hometown.... til he lands on the Mathews' doorstep. He didn't realize just how much he missed this family til they were all together again, but his biggest surprise is Dylan. She's always been beautiful and special to him (even if it was in secret), she calms him like no other, but now... now she is no longer the tom boy she once was, now on top of everything else about her that already fascinates him- she has blossomed into a stunning young woman. If he ever had any doubts about his feelings for her, five minutes in her presence erases them.
He wondered if she knew how he really saw her: faultless and fascinating. He wondered if it was written all over his forehead as he imagined it was whenever he spoke to her. Even five years later, that spark -that fire- still burned only for her.
Ben knows he is not good enough for a girl like Dylan, that has been drilled into his head his entire life, he also knows he can no longer live without her. But after years of pulling away from her in the light of day, insulting her whenever he could and cutting her out of his life when things took a turn for the unexpected, will Ben be able to convince her to give him another chance to make things right?
He wanted so badly to erase his mistakes; to erase all the ways he had hurt Dylan. He was nothing without her, but she was so much better off without him. That was the reality of it all.
This book had me right from the word 'Prologue', I simply could not put it down-it had it all. Sooo so much angst and drama, steam, frustration, laughs, tears, the list goes on. The entire cast of characters were wonderfully fantastic-the brothers were friggin awesome, their mom was just perfect I really have no complaints other than it's over. I want more from these people- I can't say goodbye, I'm not ready. All around, it was an amazing story from an author that has firmly landed herself on my 'Must Buy' list for a long time to come.
“He loves you. I really believe that. And it's so crazy because this is Ben we're talking about. But, then again, it's not so crazy, because I'm pretty sure it's always been you.”
Dylan was clearly made for him, created for him, and put here for him to love and need.
March 28, 2014
**A complimentary copy provided by author for Blog Tour**
~~ 4 Stars ~~
Under the Orange Moon was a emotional story of friends who become lovers, but it is also a story about a boy finding himself and realizing his own self worth. I thought this was an enjoyable read. I thought the storyline was interesting enough that it kept my attention throughout the entire story. The writing was smooth and the story flowed well. I thought the story was told at the right pace. This story did actually touch on quite a few of my emotions….I laughed, smiled, swooned, got mad, and even shed a tear or two towards the end of the story. I enjoyed the journey that the author took us with these characters. The reason I didn't give it a 5 Star rating was simply because I felt that the couple wasn't together enough. They get together towards the beginning, but then something happens and they are apart then for the majority of the book until very close to the end. When I read a love story I tend to like the couple to be together longer in a book. Plus there were a few things that Ben did that I didn't agree with and didn't think they needed to be in the story.
Even though this story mainly focuses on the relationship between Ben and Dylan, we meet quite a few characters who are essential to the story. Ben and Dylan have known each other almost all of their lives. Ben had a terrible childhood home growing up so he turned to the Mathews Family for support and friendship. The Mathews family consisted of Brandon, Charlie, Hugh, Jonah (Dylan's Twin) and Dylan (the only girl of the family) Dylan has always loved or had feelings for Ben since they were young, but nothing became of that. Ben then moved away for College. So the story starts off with Ben coming back home to visit his neglectful mother ( he does this out of guilt ) This then starts the story of Ben and Dylan as a couple. We get to watch them open up to each other and grow as a couple. Then a tragic event happens to Ben and he just shuts down…..pushes everyone away. In doing that he ends up hurting Dylan :( Ben then goes back to school leaving Dylan to pick up the pieces of her broken heart alone. This then turns into the story of Ben finding himself. I have to say I didn't like Ben a whole lot during this part of the story. I thought he made a lot of selfish decisions and I wanted to smack him upside the head on more then one occasion. I did on the other hand really like Dylan's character. I thought she was a strong person. My heart broke for her on plenty of occasions. I loved watching her blossom on her own and become her own person, without her mom and brothers hovering over her.
As for the Mathews family….I loved all of them. I loved their friendly/sarcastic banter….it reminded me of my family at the holidays…lol :) I loved how this family just opened their home and Hearts to Ben and accepted him for who he was. I really hope to see more books for some of the brothers.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a book about a journey of self discovery and also has a friends to lovers love story in it. I'll definitely read more books by this author.
For more reviews go to Book Bitches Blog
~~ 4 Stars ~~
Under the Orange Moon was a emotional story of friends who become lovers, but it is also a story about a boy finding himself and realizing his own self worth. I thought this was an enjoyable read. I thought the storyline was interesting enough that it kept my attention throughout the entire story. The writing was smooth and the story flowed well. I thought the story was told at the right pace. This story did actually touch on quite a few of my emotions….I laughed, smiled, swooned, got mad, and even shed a tear or two towards the end of the story. I enjoyed the journey that the author took us with these characters. The reason I didn't give it a 5 Star rating was simply because I felt that the couple wasn't together enough. They get together towards the beginning, but then something happens and they are apart then for the majority of the book until very close to the end. When I read a love story I tend to like the couple to be together longer in a book. Plus there were a few things that Ben did that I didn't agree with and didn't think they needed to be in the story.
Even though this story mainly focuses on the relationship between Ben and Dylan, we meet quite a few characters who are essential to the story. Ben and Dylan have known each other almost all of their lives. Ben had a terrible childhood home growing up so he turned to the Mathews Family for support and friendship. The Mathews family consisted of Brandon, Charlie, Hugh, Jonah (Dylan's Twin) and Dylan (the only girl of the family) Dylan has always loved or had feelings for Ben since they were young, but nothing became of that. Ben then moved away for College. So the story starts off with Ben coming back home to visit his neglectful mother ( he does this out of guilt ) This then starts the story of Ben and Dylan as a couple. We get to watch them open up to each other and grow as a couple. Then a tragic event happens to Ben and he just shuts down…..pushes everyone away. In doing that he ends up hurting Dylan :( Ben then goes back to school leaving Dylan to pick up the pieces of her broken heart alone. This then turns into the story of Ben finding himself. I have to say I didn't like Ben a whole lot during this part of the story. I thought he made a lot of selfish decisions and I wanted to smack him upside the head on more then one occasion. I did on the other hand really like Dylan's character. I thought she was a strong person. My heart broke for her on plenty of occasions. I loved watching her blossom on her own and become her own person, without her mom and brothers hovering over her.
As for the Mathews family….I loved all of them. I loved their friendly/sarcastic banter….it reminded me of my family at the holidays…lol :) I loved how this family just opened their home and Hearts to Ben and accepted him for who he was. I really hope to see more books for some of the brothers.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a book about a journey of self discovery and also has a friends to lovers love story in it. I'll definitely read more books by this author.
For more reviews go to Book Bitches Blog
September 10, 2014
Review by Lisa Kane
Dylan Mathews has been in love with Ben McKenna, her twin brother Jonah's best friend since she was 5 years old. He has always teased her unmercifully, nicknaming her Weed. But five years ago he saw a chance to get out of town and go to college at Harvard, and he left, taking Dylan's heart with him.
But he's back in town. His pill popping, alcoholic mother requested he come home. He knows his father is getting ready to serve her with divorce papers. They have been separated for years; his father the judge, must have gotten tired of hiding his affairs and wanted to do his chasing at his own convenience. Once he sees Dylan he can't believe his eyes. Gone is the gangly awkward girl and in her place is a beautiful young woman. What Dylan doesn't realize is that Ben has always thought she was special, and too good for any guy. He may have treated her like he couldn't be bothered when she was around, but she was always special to him.
Ben isn't planning on staying any longer than 3 weeks in Arizona. He has a law internship waiting for him and he can't take being around his mother too long. Her constant pity parties and belittling of him are more than he can stand. But he has missed Dylan's family so much. He may have been swimming in money his whole life, but he never had love or affection. The Mathews' mom Linda always treated him like a son, and Dylan's brothers-Jonah, Charlie, Hugh and Brandon, were like his brothers too. Their dad, Carl, died a few years back but he left them all with important life lessons, and they draw their strength from him.
Sparks fly between Dylan and Ben. He wants to know every detail of her life-why is she bartending at the local watering hole and why does she let her boss, Michael "Ollie" Olerson, flirt so much with her? How does she like teaching art classes and is this what she wants to do? Of course, he has to act like he really doesn't care; he can't let her know how he really feels. Dylan is confused, she knows Ben is interested but when things between them heat up he retreats.
Finally Ben has to put a stop to Dylan's boss's moves on her. No way is he going to sit back and watch her date someone else. But as much as the two of them crave each other, they don't want anyone else to know. Both know Dylan's brothers will be out for blood if they find out that Ben, the player, is with their sister. Only Charlie's fiancé Meredith is aware what is going on, and she is certainly no fan of Ben's. But when tragedy strikes, Ben retreats into himself once again, leaving Dylan totally devastated and heart broken.
I really liked this story but Ben-¦aagghhh this guy needed to get kneed in his junk more than a few times! He is his own worst enemy. Not to mention that when his life spirals, he goes back to his old ways of coping with the pain and that hurt my heart. There is a secondary story involving Dylan's brother Charlie and his girlfriend Meredith that will be the focus of the next book, Beneath the Orange Moon. I think I'll pull up a chair and spend awhile with the Mathews family. I feel right at home.
Dylan Mathews has been in love with Ben McKenna, her twin brother Jonah's best friend since she was 5 years old. He has always teased her unmercifully, nicknaming her Weed. But five years ago he saw a chance to get out of town and go to college at Harvard, and he left, taking Dylan's heart with him.
But he's back in town. His pill popping, alcoholic mother requested he come home. He knows his father is getting ready to serve her with divorce papers. They have been separated for years; his father the judge, must have gotten tired of hiding his affairs and wanted to do his chasing at his own convenience. Once he sees Dylan he can't believe his eyes. Gone is the gangly awkward girl and in her place is a beautiful young woman. What Dylan doesn't realize is that Ben has always thought she was special, and too good for any guy. He may have treated her like he couldn't be bothered when she was around, but she was always special to him.
Ben isn't planning on staying any longer than 3 weeks in Arizona. He has a law internship waiting for him and he can't take being around his mother too long. Her constant pity parties and belittling of him are more than he can stand. But he has missed Dylan's family so much. He may have been swimming in money his whole life, but he never had love or affection. The Mathews' mom Linda always treated him like a son, and Dylan's brothers-Jonah, Charlie, Hugh and Brandon, were like his brothers too. Their dad, Carl, died a few years back but he left them all with important life lessons, and they draw their strength from him.
Sparks fly between Dylan and Ben. He wants to know every detail of her life-why is she bartending at the local watering hole and why does she let her boss, Michael "Ollie" Olerson, flirt so much with her? How does she like teaching art classes and is this what she wants to do? Of course, he has to act like he really doesn't care; he can't let her know how he really feels. Dylan is confused, she knows Ben is interested but when things between them heat up he retreats.
Finally Ben has to put a stop to Dylan's boss's moves on her. No way is he going to sit back and watch her date someone else. But as much as the two of them crave each other, they don't want anyone else to know. Both know Dylan's brothers will be out for blood if they find out that Ben, the player, is with their sister. Only Charlie's fiancé Meredith is aware what is going on, and she is certainly no fan of Ben's. But when tragedy strikes, Ben retreats into himself once again, leaving Dylan totally devastated and heart broken.
I really liked this story but Ben-¦aagghhh this guy needed to get kneed in his junk more than a few times! He is his own worst enemy. Not to mention that when his life spirals, he goes back to his old ways of coping with the pain and that hurt my heart. There is a secondary story involving Dylan's brother Charlie and his girlfriend Meredith that will be the focus of the next book, Beneath the Orange Moon. I think I'll pull up a chair and spend awhile with the Mathews family. I feel right at home.
Want to read
May 25, 2020One Word - Heart-wrenching and beautiful..so two words ;)
October 8, 2013
Ben was an asshole. Never felt for him.
The ending was abrupt and predictable. Love scenes fade to black. Just not my preference.
The ending was abrupt and predictable. Love scenes fade to black. Just not my preference.
Want to read
February 21, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/21/2019)! 🎁
November 4, 2017
Es una lectura pasable.
Al inicio el drama televisa es tan intenso, se incrementa horriblemente... para después decaer sin pena ni gloria.
Los personajes generaban más bien... frustración!
Aunque debo admitir que el cierre de Ben, fue algo rescatable.
Lo volvería a leer? Estee... nop! no creo jajaja pero no está mal si no tienes nada mejor al alcance ;)
Al inicio el drama televisa es tan intenso, se incrementa horriblemente... para después decaer sin pena ni gloria.
Los personajes generaban más bien... frustración!
Aunque debo admitir que el cierre de Ben, fue algo rescatable.
Lo volvería a leer? Estee... nop! no creo jajaja pero no está mal si no tienes nada mejor al alcance ;)
May 7, 2013
So. Much. Heart. I can't even begin to describe how I much adore these hidden indie gems. Somehow, even in its simplicity, the story turned out to have so much more heart than my other mainstream reads. This was such a heartwarming story centered on the strength of love among friends and family.
I have a not-so-hidden weakness for childhood love stories, so when I got wind that this would have revolve around that kind of romance then I knew I had to read it right away. Thank heavens it didn't disappoint me because it had one helluva epic love story that was rooted since childhood. I got attached right away to the characters from the prologue and I just fell in-love more with them as the story progressed. So we meet the Mathews family, which included four brothers and their baby sister Dylan. We also meet Ben McKenna, who's like the adopted fifth brother to the Mathews family. I can't help my goofy grin the moment Ben smiled at Dylan after she hit him hard with a football.
The premise of this story was pretty simple and easy to grasp but the way it was narrated and how things unfolded, made it a very meaningful and beautiful story. There were just no words to describe how much I adored the relationship and dynamics of the Mathews family. They were just so perfect when it comes to supporting each other through thick and thin that even I wanted to become part of their family as well. And then there's Ben McKenna, possibly one of the angriest lead characters I've ever met. I honestly didn't get at first where he was coming from and I do think that we should've been given more insight to what he went through, but then again, his blossoming relationship with Dylan as well as his ties to the Mathews family overshadowed that need in the story.
SPOILERS COMING UP....
Dylan and Ben were just meant to be. Plain and simple. But it was quite a long and tough road in getting themselves to admit and show that to one another but once it happened, it was just so perfect. But then life has a way of throwing shit at you to test your strength and when that kind of dilemma came upon Ben, he took the easy way out instead of facing the pain head on. Man I was quite shocked that it happened halfway and not somewhere in the end but I guess it makes the pain more tangible and real as well. I cried so much, especially those flashbacks with Dylan's dad and the way Ben pushed Dylan away in a very harsh way. Even with that kind of pain, I appreciated the fact that the author really took some time in writing the aftermath of their broken relationship. Gawd it was so painful and I did want to crawl inside my Kindle and punch the living daylights out of Ben but what they had to go through in finding their way back to each other, made their reunion so much more beautiful and well... tears-inducing.
This story gives me 500 Days of Summer vibes. It's a quiet love story but it touches your heart in a very deep way. And again, this was not just a love story alone. It was also an amazing story of having the love of a family as well. Definite must-read for romance story lovers!
I have a not-so-hidden weakness for childhood love stories, so when I got wind that this would have revolve around that kind of romance then I knew I had to read it right away. Thank heavens it didn't disappoint me because it had one helluva epic love story that was rooted since childhood. I got attached right away to the characters from the prologue and I just fell in-love more with them as the story progressed. So we meet the Mathews family, which included four brothers and their baby sister Dylan. We also meet Ben McKenna, who's like the adopted fifth brother to the Mathews family. I can't help my goofy grin the moment Ben smiled at Dylan after she hit him hard with a football.
The premise of this story was pretty simple and easy to grasp but the way it was narrated and how things unfolded, made it a very meaningful and beautiful story. There were just no words to describe how much I adored the relationship and dynamics of the Mathews family. They were just so perfect when it comes to supporting each other through thick and thin that even I wanted to become part of their family as well. And then there's Ben McKenna, possibly one of the angriest lead characters I've ever met. I honestly didn't get at first where he was coming from and I do think that we should've been given more insight to what he went through, but then again, his blossoming relationship with Dylan as well as his ties to the Mathews family overshadowed that need in the story.
SPOILERS COMING UP....
Dylan and Ben were just meant to be. Plain and simple. But it was quite a long and tough road in getting themselves to admit and show that to one another but once it happened, it was just so perfect. But then life has a way of throwing shit at you to test your strength and when that kind of dilemma came upon Ben, he took the easy way out instead of facing the pain head on. Man I was quite shocked that it happened halfway and not somewhere in the end but I guess it makes the pain more tangible and real as well. I cried so much, especially those flashbacks with Dylan's dad and the way Ben pushed Dylan away in a very harsh way. Even with that kind of pain, I appreciated the fact that the author really took some time in writing the aftermath of their broken relationship. Gawd it was so painful and I did want to crawl inside my Kindle and punch the living daylights out of Ben but what they had to go through in finding their way back to each other, made their reunion so much more beautiful and well... tears-inducing.
This story gives me 500 Days of Summer vibes. It's a quiet love story but it touches your heart in a very deep way. And again, this was not just a love story alone. It was also an amazing story of having the love of a family as well. Definite must-read for romance story lovers!
April 2, 2014
Wow! I didn't expect for this book to get to me the way it did. I swooned, laughed, cried, and smiled. At times my chest hurt from the pain that the characters were in. I can't believe that this is the authors first novel!
Under the Orange Moon what written in a narrators POV and it took a while to get used to reading that way, but once I got past it I realized that the story would not have had the effect that it had on me if it had been written differently.
Dylan is the only daughter and has four brothers. All of them are older except for Jonah, who is her twin. Ben, is Jonah's best friend and lives a few houses away. Ben has a very hard life. His father is a distant, hard to please judge that left when he was a boy but never divorced his mother. Ben's mother is a pill popping, abusive alcoholic mother that only sees her absent, cold husband in her sons eyes and ingrains in Ben that he is just like his father and isn't deserving of love.
From the moment Ben was old enough to remember, it had been drilled into his head that feelings were a weakness that truly strong, successful men should do without. It was weak to love, to cry, and to show compassion.
But at night, he sneaks into Dylan's room every night to cuddle with her. They never do anything else until he rejects her the night before he is to leave for college. Fast forward 5 years, to when Ben comes home for the first time since leaving and everything picks up where it was left off. But just like before, Ben alone with Dylan was very different from the Ben out in public and with her brothers.
... watching her in all her sun-drenched beauty, looking out over the scenery below, he only regretted more the way he acted when her brothers were around. He wondered if she knew how he really saw her: faultless and fascinating. He wondered if it was written all over his forehead as he imagined it was whenever he spoke to her. Even 5 years later, that spark - that fire - still burned only for her.
Beauty was not hard to come by. Ben could find it easily where ever he happened to glance. It was all around him on a regular basis. Dylan was more than just beautiful, though. She was resplendently perfect. But he could never have her.
I really enjoyed this book. The angst is throughout the entire book and your heart will break for both Ben and Dylan. There isn't a cliffhanger but I have a feeling that we will be reading more about the Mathew's brothers, at least I hope so!
4.5 Stars!!!!
Under the Orange Moon what written in a narrators POV and it took a while to get used to reading that way, but once I got past it I realized that the story would not have had the effect that it had on me if it had been written differently.
Dylan is the only daughter and has four brothers. All of them are older except for Jonah, who is her twin. Ben, is Jonah's best friend and lives a few houses away. Ben has a very hard life. His father is a distant, hard to please judge that left when he was a boy but never divorced his mother. Ben's mother is a pill popping, abusive alcoholic mother that only sees her absent, cold husband in her sons eyes and ingrains in Ben that he is just like his father and isn't deserving of love.
From the moment Ben was old enough to remember, it had been drilled into his head that feelings were a weakness that truly strong, successful men should do without. It was weak to love, to cry, and to show compassion.
But at night, he sneaks into Dylan's room every night to cuddle with her. They never do anything else until he rejects her the night before he is to leave for college. Fast forward 5 years, to when Ben comes home for the first time since leaving and everything picks up where it was left off. But just like before, Ben alone with Dylan was very different from the Ben out in public and with her brothers.
... watching her in all her sun-drenched beauty, looking out over the scenery below, he only regretted more the way he acted when her brothers were around. He wondered if she knew how he really saw her: faultless and fascinating. He wondered if it was written all over his forehead as he imagined it was whenever he spoke to her. Even 5 years later, that spark - that fire - still burned only for her.
Beauty was not hard to come by. Ben could find it easily where ever he happened to glance. It was all around him on a regular basis. Dylan was more than just beautiful, though. She was resplendently perfect. But he could never have her.
I really enjoyed this book. The angst is throughout the entire book and your heart will break for both Ben and Dylan. There isn't a cliffhanger but I have a feeling that we will be reading more about the Mathew's brothers, at least I hope so!
4.5 Stars!!!!
March 26, 2014
4.5.
I absolutely adored this book and couldn't put it down. It was such a sweet and beautiful story.
This is a friends to lovers with a little bit of a forbidden love story feel to it. Dylan and Ben have known each other their whole lives. Ben is best friends with Dylan's twin and is a brother/son to the rest of her family. Dylan and Ben have always shared a connection, and over the years Ben has found himself sneaking into Dylan's bed more times than he would like to acknowledge. During these late night visits the two are in their own world, but when the sun comes up Ben is gone.
I really loved the characters in this book. Ben is a 'jerk of my dreams' kind of guy. He's not always very kind and is cocky beyond belief, but has a playfulness to him that is adorable. Although, his parents have provided financial stability they are both too sucked up in their own lives to provide any love for their son. Ben find solace in his best friend's family, the Mathews, who take him in and treat him as one of their own. Dylan, also known as Weed to her family, grew up as a tom boy. With a house full of brothers, there is no lack of protection or meddling when it comes to her life. Dylan has loved Ben her whole life and has not dated anyone else out of loyalty to her feelings for him.
Ben and Dylan's relationship is really so sweet. I felt myself falling in love with them. Their stolen moments made my heart flutter. Just as Ben is starting second guess keeping his relationship with Dylan secret, tragedy strikes and Ben takes off as he tries to unsuccessfully deal with his emotions. This part of the story is truly emotional and heartbreaking, as we watch Ben crumble and hope that he can come to his senses and be put back together.
I really can't express how this story touched me. In a way it is simple and a little predictable, but it really pulled at my heart and emotions. Besides Ben and Dylan, there are a ton of fantastic characters and their stories intertwined throughout the book. I loved the Mathews' and there family felt very real to me. Although they all play strong supportive roles in this book, I would have loved more of them.
Overall, this is a great story that I immediately fell in love with from the first chapter. I would definitely recommend it and look forward to more works from this author.
I absolutely adored this book and couldn't put it down. It was such a sweet and beautiful story.
This is a friends to lovers with a little bit of a forbidden love story feel to it. Dylan and Ben have known each other their whole lives. Ben is best friends with Dylan's twin and is a brother/son to the rest of her family. Dylan and Ben have always shared a connection, and over the years Ben has found himself sneaking into Dylan's bed more times than he would like to acknowledge. During these late night visits the two are in their own world, but when the sun comes up Ben is gone.
I really loved the characters in this book. Ben is a 'jerk of my dreams' kind of guy. He's not always very kind and is cocky beyond belief, but has a playfulness to him that is adorable. Although, his parents have provided financial stability they are both too sucked up in their own lives to provide any love for their son. Ben find solace in his best friend's family, the Mathews, who take him in and treat him as one of their own. Dylan, also known as Weed to her family, grew up as a tom boy. With a house full of brothers, there is no lack of protection or meddling when it comes to her life. Dylan has loved Ben her whole life and has not dated anyone else out of loyalty to her feelings for him.
Ben and Dylan's relationship is really so sweet. I felt myself falling in love with them. Their stolen moments made my heart flutter. Just as Ben is starting second guess keeping his relationship with Dylan secret, tragedy strikes and Ben takes off as he tries to unsuccessfully deal with his emotions. This part of the story is truly emotional and heartbreaking, as we watch Ben crumble and hope that he can come to his senses and be put back together.
I really can't express how this story touched me. In a way it is simple and a little predictable, but it really pulled at my heart and emotions. Besides Ben and Dylan, there are a ton of fantastic characters and their stories intertwined throughout the book. I loved the Mathews' and there family felt very real to me. Although they all play strong supportive roles in this book, I would have loved more of them.
Overall, this is a great story that I immediately fell in love with from the first chapter. I would definitely recommend it and look forward to more works from this author.
January 27, 2013
4 BRIGHT & EDGY STARS!
This one surprised me!! Narrated in third person perspective, the story follows the lives of: Ben McKenna and the Mathews family. And reminded me of, The Boy Who Sneaks in my Bedroom Window.
Dylan Mathews has 4 older brothers, and 1 twin brother. At times, she was frustrating – but her love for Ben truly transcended my petty frustrations.
Ben, he's emotionally void. His family is highly dysfunctional – his dad is absent, selfish, abusive, and all kinds of horrible, while his mom is depressed (understatement). His only comfort and solace, is the Mathews' family – but mostly, it’s his best friend's little sister, Dylan, whom he loves most. He's loved her since they were kids, and he loves her when he sees her all grown up, 5 years after he's moved away from home.
I even loved all the side characters! And I really like Michael "Olie" - the ALMOST other end of a POSSIBLE love triangle. It didn't happen, although I really wanted it to! What's up with the guys in these novels - being so man-whorish while the girls whine and pine for them?
Nevertheless, the story was really, unexpectedly enjoyable! I couldn't put it down. I love childhood crushes turning into lovers stories :0) There was a lot of angst, and some heart wrenching moments; but nothing too deep, dark and damaging. Love conquers all!
This one surprised me!! Narrated in third person perspective, the story follows the lives of: Ben McKenna and the Mathews family. And reminded me of, The Boy Who Sneaks in my Bedroom Window.
Dylan Mathews has 4 older brothers, and 1 twin brother. At times, she was frustrating – but her love for Ben truly transcended my petty frustrations.
Ben, he's emotionally void. His family is highly dysfunctional – his dad is absent, selfish, abusive, and all kinds of horrible, while his mom is depressed (understatement). His only comfort and solace, is the Mathews' family – but mostly, it’s his best friend's little sister, Dylan, whom he loves most. He's loved her since they were kids, and he loves her when he sees her all grown up, 5 years after he's moved away from home.
I even loved all the side characters! And I really like Michael "Olie" - the ALMOST other end of a POSSIBLE love triangle. It didn't happen, although I really wanted it to! What's up with the guys in these novels - being so man-whorish while the girls whine and pine for them?
Nevertheless, the story was really, unexpectedly enjoyable! I couldn't put it down. I love childhood crushes turning into lovers stories :0) There was a lot of angst, and some heart wrenching moments; but nothing too deep, dark and damaging. Love conquers all!
September 7, 2014
One of the great things and also one of the scariest things since starting the blog (at least to me) has been the amount of requests and emails we have received from new and even established authors asking for us to review their work. On one hand, the priviledge is beyond words because anyone that has the ability to put these words together and create a story is, to be honest, just not a talent I have. But, you also run the risk on not liking their work or having to offer a bit of constructive criticism.
When I received Under the Orange Moon from Adrienne, I had no idea what to expect. All I knew is that there was a character named Dylan, which is my favorite name (my son's), so of course I agreed to give it a try. Let me just say, I am really glad I did.
Under the Orange Moon was a sweet surprise of family fun, childhood romance and real-life drama in a well-written and capitivating package. Now, most of you know that I am the sexy, bad boy, hard core one of our trio. Surprisingly, the lack of "steam" in this book mostly went unnoticed. There are a few scenes between Dylan and Ben that captured my attention, but the story was so well delivered that the steam just wasn't necessary.
To read the rest of my review, visit the blog at A Love Affair With Books.
When I received Under the Orange Moon from Adrienne, I had no idea what to expect. All I knew is that there was a character named Dylan, which is my favorite name (my son's), so of course I agreed to give it a try. Let me just say, I am really glad I did.
Under the Orange Moon was a sweet surprise of family fun, childhood romance and real-life drama in a well-written and capitivating package. Now, most of you know that I am the sexy, bad boy, hard core one of our trio. Surprisingly, the lack of "steam" in this book mostly went unnoticed. There are a few scenes between Dylan and Ben that captured my attention, but the story was so well delivered that the steam just wasn't necessary.
To read the rest of my review, visit the blog at A Love Affair With Books.
January 16, 2015
4 sweetly emotional stars!
Under the Orange Moon is a classic second-chance romance, forcing on Dylan and Ben. Dylan grew up in a house full of brothers, and Ben was the best friend and practically a member of the Matthews' household. Poor Ben grew up in a very unhappy home and he and Dylan loved each other since they were children. But Ben is on the path to success, leaving home for college and then law school, after breaking Dylan's heart.
I really liked this sweet and funny story, it is beautifully written and I loved all of the lively family members that we are introduced to. The Matthews family is in stark contrast to Ben's family, with his cold and distant father and sad, sick mother. Ben seems to be a jerk at first but the author really gives us insight into his behavior and we can really understand his deep-seated issues. I loved Dylan and was really rooting for her and Ben! I also loved how the author created a very intelligent, talented character in Dylan and certainly did not make her a pushover. The highlight of this book for me was the incredibly warm family relationships. The characters all tied together nicely at the end and the Prologue was fabulous and very emotional.
This is the first book I have read from Adrienne Frances and it is perfect for fans of new adult, second chance romance!
July 12, 2014
4+ Stars
I don't read "light" reads. I just...don't. I always feel slightly disappointed after I finish them. But, this book came highly recommended by a friend whom I trust. She shares my same reading likes. She loves this book. Loves the author. And surprise, surprise. I liked it. I actually REALLY enjoyed it. It was a lighter read. But, I don't know, somehow it was deeper than that. I loved the characters. I REALLY enjoyed the dynamic of the family interactions. I want to hang out with them. I liked the author's writing style. She mixed it up writing in 1st person, 3rd person and even narrative POVs. I was intrigued by it. I loved her dialogue lines. They had impact. They often made me laugh. I've read a few reviews whining that the guy was an asshole. Get over it. Read a harlequin romance if you want a book where they ride off into the sunset. My opinion? I love assholes. I love bitches. The back story and character building was good...so I got it. I kinda loved him for it. And, by kinda, I mean, I loved him. No apologies.
I don't read "light" reads. I just...don't. I always feel slightly disappointed after I finish them. But, this book came highly recommended by a friend whom I trust. She shares my same reading likes. She loves this book. Loves the author. And surprise, surprise. I liked it. I actually REALLY enjoyed it. It was a lighter read. But, I don't know, somehow it was deeper than that. I loved the characters. I REALLY enjoyed the dynamic of the family interactions. I want to hang out with them. I liked the author's writing style. She mixed it up writing in 1st person, 3rd person and even narrative POVs. I was intrigued by it. I loved her dialogue lines. They had impact. They often made me laugh. I've read a few reviews whining that the guy was an asshole. Get over it. Read a harlequin romance if you want a book where they ride off into the sunset. My opinion? I love assholes. I love bitches. The back story and character building was good...so I got it. I kinda loved him for it. And, by kinda, I mean, I loved him. No apologies.
September 8, 2014
Dylan and Ben are the main characters in this lovely touching love story.
Ben has always loved Dylan. Before he leaves for college they're love is almost consummated, but before the fire gets to sizzle, he breaks free of Dylan. He doesn't think he's good enough for her, plus the fact, her brothers wouldn't like it at all.
This is about two young loves, both with very deep emotions.
When comes back to his home town Dylan is determined to not make a fuss, its only Ben....right?
I found this a truly lovely tale, nice and easy to read.
Ben has always loved Dylan. Before he leaves for college they're love is almost consummated, but before the fire gets to sizzle, he breaks free of Dylan. He doesn't think he's good enough for her, plus the fact, her brothers wouldn't like it at all.
This is about two young loves, both with very deep emotions.
When comes back to his home town Dylan is determined to not make a fuss, its only Ben....right?
I found this a truly lovely tale, nice and easy to read.
January 9, 2016
3.5 enthusiastic stars! I love it when the main character has a bunch of siblings that all get along and have a ton of inside jokes. Even better if the main character has four older brothers plus one boy whom she has loved forever but might as well be her fifth brother. And they all call her Weed, which she hates, but they all think she is the greatest thing since sliced bread, even the boy who might as well be her brother but shhh, that's a not so well kept secret. I love it!
March 23, 2014
I really loved this story. It captured my attention from the start with the boy next door love interest. I loved the growth Ben experiences throughout the story and the dynamics of Dylan and her brothers. The story was well written and just different enough to not be completely predictable. Definitely recommend.
Read
February 11, 2013♥ Quiero quiero quiero quiero
Muahahahaha It´s mine!!!!
Muahahahaha It´s mine!!!!
April 19, 2014
*****5- Holy Friggin Angst -Stars*****
~this review may contain minor spoilers~
He moved his hand into her soft hair, gently twirling it between his fingers and letting the ends stroke his calloused skin. It was a perfect representation of them: her deep, flawless beauty against his sharp, jagged, and utterly damaged existence.
Well, knock me over with a feather-this book was incredible. I'm pretty sure I have just fallen under the insta-love spell for Ms. Adrienne Frances and for once, I'm totally okay with it. I am a known angst junkie and this book thoroughly fed that addiction...and then some. Ben spent so much of this book being such a selfish, cocky, stubborn, mean asshat that I wanted to reach into my Kindle and choke the bastard. Dylan was so sweet and feisty but was far too forgiving, she allowed herself to be a doormat for faarrrr too long. At one point, I even screamed 'lock your damn door!!' to no one in particular and scarred the crap outta my poor dog Lol. But these aren't complaints, on the contrary- I love when I get so wrapped up in a book that I forget that these people can't hear me. It was just So. Damn. Good.
He had to be next to her one more time before he left this life behind. He needed to spend his last night in Phoenix lying beside her and basking in the arousal it sparked. He needed anything that would quite his rampant emotions and she was the only one who could do just that... whether she knew it or not.
As the only girl in a house with four older brothers, Dylan Mathews is used to having a steady stream of boys coming in and out of the house all the time. She was kinda a tom-boy as a kid and was more comfortable around the boys anyway so she never thought much of it....except where Ben McKenna was concerned. Dylan has been in love with the 'unofficial fifth Mathews son' for as long as she can remember, but he has always treated her as one of the guys, or a pesky kid sister, as least that's what everyone else sees-but Dylan knows a side of Ben that he shows to no one but her when he sneaks into her room every night. Ben has a pretty shitty home life with an absentee father and a drugged up alcoholic mother, the only thing that brings any sense of calmness to his world are his nights with Dylan. But when their innocent cuddling takes an unexpected passionate turn one night, Ben puts a stop to it and takes off into the night effectively cutting Dylan out of his life completely.
He shouldn't have thought about it; he was angry at himself for allowing his brain to function now, of all times. Nevertheless, he had to stop. This wasn't Dylan, and he certainly couldn't allow a one-night stand to be his last memory of her. Not her. Not ever.
And nothing, not even Dylan, was going to get in the way of his escape.
Now it's five years later, and Ben is back in town. Dylan knows she can't avoid him, he is still best friends with her brothers after all, she was the only one that has been cut out of his life for the last five years. No matter how hurt or angry she is at him, it doesn't change the fact that he still affects her and that just infuriates her even more. She cannot allow herself to fall into his trap again knowing he will pick up and take off once more- that is what he does best after all.
This was his game and she would always be the fool that let him win her over. Even five years later, he still managed to aggravate her, hurting her more than anything. She had always wondered what a run-in with Ben would do to her and now she knew. He was the same Ben that he always had been, with no glint of hope for a change.
His mothers guilt trip is the only reason Ben came home at all, he has no desire to be back in his hometown.... til he lands on the Mathews' doorstep. He didn't realize just how much he missed this family til they were all together again, but his biggest surprise is Dylan. She's always been beautiful and special to him (even if it was in secret), she calms him like no other, but now... now she is no longer the tom boy she once was, now on top of everything else about her that already fascinates him- she has blossomed into a stunning young woman. If he ever had any doubts about his feelings for her, five minutes in her presence erases them.
He wondered if she knew how he really saw her: faultless and fascinating. He wondered if it was written all over his forehead as he imagined it was whenever he spoke to her. Even five years later, that spark -that fire- still burned only for her.
Ben knows he is not good enough for a girl like Dylan, that has been drilled into his head his entire life, he also knows he can no longer live without her. But after years of pulling away from her in the light of day, insulting her whenever he could and cutting her out of his life when things took a turn for the unexpected, will Ben be able to convince her to give him another chance to make things right?
He wanted so badly to erase his mistakes; to erase all the ways he had hurt Dylan. He was nothing without her, but she was so much better off without him. That was the reality of it all.
This book had me right from the word 'Prologue', I simply could not put it down-it had it all. Sooo so much angst and drama, steam, frustration, laughs, tears, the list goes on. The entire cast of characters were wonderfully fantastic-the brothers were friggin awesome, their mom was just perfect I really have no complaints other than it's over. I want more from these people- I can't say goodbye, I'm not ready. All around, it was an amazing story from an author that has firmly landed herself on my 'Must Buy' list for a long time to come.
“He loves you. I really believe that. And it's so crazy because this is Ben we're talking about. But, then again, it's not so crazy, because I'm pretty sure it's always been you.”
Dylan was clearly made for him, created for him, and put here for him to love and need.
Happy Reading xo Jenn
April 2, 2018
Ay mi cocoro.
March 21, 2014
Under The Orange Moon by Adrienne Frances
4 stars!!
“Boys are stupid,” she recalled him saying. “They never know a good thing until they've run it over a few times.”
Wow, where to start with this one?? This book, whilst being a beautiful love story also makes you think and I love books that make you think. The heroine, Dylan, has the perfect family; they are extremely loving, extremely protective of each other and are always there for each other. Ben on the other hand has had quite the opposite upbringing. His Dad, a highly successful lawyer, separated from his mum, leaving behind a deeply heartbroken woman, seeking solace in pills and alcohol she has never been able to live any kind of life since he left. This left Ben to pick up the pieces and basically bring himself up. His mother showing him little to no affection as Ben was most certainly his father’s son and unfortunately looked so much like him. Just looking at Ben made her think of the husband she lost and unfortunately destroyed any bond they once had. Luckily Ben was childhood friends with all the Matthews children though, he was like an adopted son and brother to them all and they always made him feel welcome and where he was lacking in love and guidance, the Matthews gave it to him in spades.
I must admit, I did find it hard to accept that a mother would do that to her one and only child, I appreciate it does happen, but it made it hard to read. My heart literally broke for Ben when you finally understood the family dynamic he had, especially with his mother. The total bitterness and resentment she had towards him was unfathomable and I truly felt for him and could understand why he had little to no patience for her.
Dylan on the other hand, was the silent, beautiful, extremely gifted artist. Being the only girl of the siblings and the youngest she had protection from all sides. She had always loved Ben and as it turned out Ben had always loved Dylan. At night, Ben would sneak into her room and they would talk and sleep, a boy of very few words, but it was in these one on one moments that you actually got to see the real Ben. The brothers saw the cocky, arrogant player, but Dylan always got to see his soft side. This did bring back memories of another book I have read but it was by no means the main plot line.
“I know you better than anyone, Dylan. I don’t have to live here to prove that.”
The lack of love between his parents and his less than ideal upbringing gave Ben an inferiority complex when it came to Dylan. Even though he loved her he felt that he did not deserve her and his internal ramblings also made my heart break. He tried to take the first step before going to uni to do his law degree but he held himself back in fear of recriminations from his second family, he didn’t want to run the risk of upsetting them, when in his mind, he didn’t deserve and he certainly wasn’t good enough for Dylan.
Eventually their paths cross again and we are left with the conundrum of are either of them going to be strong enough to fight the connection they have between them or will they finally give in and give their relationship a chance?
I loved this book, hard! It was beautifully written, deep, meaningful and extremely emotive. I connected and fell in love with these characters. I never had a fear that Ben wasn’t good enough, behind the façade you saw the true person he was underneath and his love for and his connection to Dylan never wavered and I was just rooting for him to get the nerve and finally believe in himself and take that chance. Yes there we times he was a complete jerk and I wanted to jump into the kindle and give him a slap, but you could always see the reasons why and it always came back to this stupid inferiority complex he had. I could have throttled his parents.
“Just know that you are worthy of what you want and what I someday hope that you are man enough to have.” – Carl Matthews (Dylan’s dad)
“Be the man that won’t let anyone else’s demons get in the way of what he wants and what he knows to be right.” – Carl Matthews
This book will have you running the gamut of emotions, but as I said it is a story that makes you think. Being a mother it makes you realise how your own family life sculptures that of your children, how what you do and what you say has an inherent effect on them and if not ideal how it can also determine their future. It is a story of love, resentment, forgiveness and learning to shape your own future and not to dwell on the past. It is a story of how a selfless woman manages to finally break through those walls and make a man believe in himself again, he is good enough, he is who she wants and all she has ever wanted. These two were truly soul mates and it is now up to them to shape their forever.
A fab read from another debut author, this one I will certainly be watching and waiting for that next release.
www.theromancecover.com
4 stars!!
“Boys are stupid,” she recalled him saying. “They never know a good thing until they've run it over a few times.”
Wow, where to start with this one?? This book, whilst being a beautiful love story also makes you think and I love books that make you think. The heroine, Dylan, has the perfect family; they are extremely loving, extremely protective of each other and are always there for each other. Ben on the other hand has had quite the opposite upbringing. His Dad, a highly successful lawyer, separated from his mum, leaving behind a deeply heartbroken woman, seeking solace in pills and alcohol she has never been able to live any kind of life since he left. This left Ben to pick up the pieces and basically bring himself up. His mother showing him little to no affection as Ben was most certainly his father’s son and unfortunately looked so much like him. Just looking at Ben made her think of the husband she lost and unfortunately destroyed any bond they once had. Luckily Ben was childhood friends with all the Matthews children though, he was like an adopted son and brother to them all and they always made him feel welcome and where he was lacking in love and guidance, the Matthews gave it to him in spades.
I must admit, I did find it hard to accept that a mother would do that to her one and only child, I appreciate it does happen, but it made it hard to read. My heart literally broke for Ben when you finally understood the family dynamic he had, especially with his mother. The total bitterness and resentment she had towards him was unfathomable and I truly felt for him and could understand why he had little to no patience for her.
Dylan on the other hand, was the silent, beautiful, extremely gifted artist. Being the only girl of the siblings and the youngest she had protection from all sides. She had always loved Ben and as it turned out Ben had always loved Dylan. At night, Ben would sneak into her room and they would talk and sleep, a boy of very few words, but it was in these one on one moments that you actually got to see the real Ben. The brothers saw the cocky, arrogant player, but Dylan always got to see his soft side. This did bring back memories of another book I have read but it was by no means the main plot line.
“I know you better than anyone, Dylan. I don’t have to live here to prove that.”
The lack of love between his parents and his less than ideal upbringing gave Ben an inferiority complex when it came to Dylan. Even though he loved her he felt that he did not deserve her and his internal ramblings also made my heart break. He tried to take the first step before going to uni to do his law degree but he held himself back in fear of recriminations from his second family, he didn’t want to run the risk of upsetting them, when in his mind, he didn’t deserve and he certainly wasn’t good enough for Dylan.
Eventually their paths cross again and we are left with the conundrum of are either of them going to be strong enough to fight the connection they have between them or will they finally give in and give their relationship a chance?
I loved this book, hard! It was beautifully written, deep, meaningful and extremely emotive. I connected and fell in love with these characters. I never had a fear that Ben wasn’t good enough, behind the façade you saw the true person he was underneath and his love for and his connection to Dylan never wavered and I was just rooting for him to get the nerve and finally believe in himself and take that chance. Yes there we times he was a complete jerk and I wanted to jump into the kindle and give him a slap, but you could always see the reasons why and it always came back to this stupid inferiority complex he had. I could have throttled his parents.
“Just know that you are worthy of what you want and what I someday hope that you are man enough to have.” – Carl Matthews (Dylan’s dad)
“Be the man that won’t let anyone else’s demons get in the way of what he wants and what he knows to be right.” – Carl Matthews
This book will have you running the gamut of emotions, but as I said it is a story that makes you think. Being a mother it makes you realise how your own family life sculptures that of your children, how what you do and what you say has an inherent effect on them and if not ideal how it can also determine their future. It is a story of love, resentment, forgiveness and learning to shape your own future and not to dwell on the past. It is a story of how a selfless woman manages to finally break through those walls and make a man believe in himself again, he is good enough, he is who she wants and all she has ever wanted. These two were truly soul mates and it is now up to them to shape their forever.
A fab read from another debut author, this one I will certainly be watching and waiting for that next release.
www.theromancecover.com
March 20, 2014
4.5 out of 5 stars
When I started Under the Orange Moon I knew it was going to be good, but I had no idea how much I was going to fall in love with the characters and storyline. From cover to cover Adrienne Frances took me by surprise and left me with one of the most enjoyable book escapes.
It's the story of Dylan Matthews and Ben McKenna. Dylan has grown up in a house full of brothers with two loving parents. Being around so many boys has taught her to be tough, so she has this tomboyish side to her but she is also passionate about art. It's her release, a way to express emotions, she is able to find and re-create beauty in a powerful way. She's been in love with Ben since forever, she even thought he might possibly feel the same way, but as soon as he could escape his parents he left and she hasn't heard from him since. That was five years ago. She knows she should move on but she hasn't found anyone whose piqued her interest.
Growing up Ben's life was never easy, his father while not at home still always demanded perfection, leaving Ben feeling as though he was never good enough. His mother spent most of her time in a drunken haze blaming Ben as the reason her husband left and she has mastered the art of guilt manipulation. His childhood was incredibly lonely and if it weren't for the Matthew's family I'm not sure he would have ever experienced happiness, joy and a sense of belonging. While Dylan's family always made him feel as if he were one of them, it was always only in Dylan where he found true peace. Unfortunately, he knew he would never be good enough for her so after graduation he left, never looking back.
Five years later when Ben returns for a long Christmas holiday at the insistence of his mother he is forced to face Dylan once again along with all the emotions she manages to evoke in him. Only now Dylan is no longer a little girl, but a beautiful confident woman. It's obvious the spark never died, if anything it's turned into a flame, but no matter how much he loves her he still doesn't believe he will ever be good enough to deserve her love in return. Yet he doesn't seem to be able to walk away either. Will he be willing to take a chance and open his heart up to Dylan? Will he finally try and be the man she needs?
Under the Orange Moon is refreshingly told from a narrator's perspective. I cannot remember the last time I read a story in this fashion and it completely worked for me. I was able to look objectively at the story and to really get a feel for the secondary characters. The narration provides more character interaction, from each of the different brothers and Dylan's mother allowing readers to learn more about both Dylan and Ben as individuals. Being able to see them through other's eyes provided a more interesting perspective into the different elements of the story and situation.
This wasn't a story filled with unnecessary drama nor was a happily ever after ending rushed. I truly appreciated every aspect of Dylan and Ben's struggles from jealousy and insecurity, to keeping their new found love a secret as well as watching them each grow and work through their own problems. When they finally arrived at the HEA it was perfection and I couldn't help but smile through the pages.
Another big plus for me was not being bogged down with unnecessary smut, the story is just so good, and written so beautifully that I was able to feel the desire, passion and love between the two without reading about them expressing it sexually. I guess what I'm saying is I didn't miss this particular aspect because it honestly wasn't needed.
I really loved this book, what can I say...I'm a sucker for childhood friendship turned love. This is a fantastic story, one you really shouldn't pass up. It's about putting yourself out there, being willing to try, fighting for what you want and knowing when to walk away. It's also about love and the bonds of family, even when the bond isn't blood. Fall in love with Ben and Dylan under the orange moon, I promise you won't regret this purchase.
*I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.
http://romancerewind.blogspot.com/201...
When I started Under the Orange Moon I knew it was going to be good, but I had no idea how much I was going to fall in love with the characters and storyline. From cover to cover Adrienne Frances took me by surprise and left me with one of the most enjoyable book escapes.
It's the story of Dylan Matthews and Ben McKenna. Dylan has grown up in a house full of brothers with two loving parents. Being around so many boys has taught her to be tough, so she has this tomboyish side to her but she is also passionate about art. It's her release, a way to express emotions, she is able to find and re-create beauty in a powerful way. She's been in love with Ben since forever, she even thought he might possibly feel the same way, but as soon as he could escape his parents he left and she hasn't heard from him since. That was five years ago. She knows she should move on but she hasn't found anyone whose piqued her interest.
Growing up Ben's life was never easy, his father while not at home still always demanded perfection, leaving Ben feeling as though he was never good enough. His mother spent most of her time in a drunken haze blaming Ben as the reason her husband left and she has mastered the art of guilt manipulation. His childhood was incredibly lonely and if it weren't for the Matthew's family I'm not sure he would have ever experienced happiness, joy and a sense of belonging. While Dylan's family always made him feel as if he were one of them, it was always only in Dylan where he found true peace. Unfortunately, he knew he would never be good enough for her so after graduation he left, never looking back.
Five years later when Ben returns for a long Christmas holiday at the insistence of his mother he is forced to face Dylan once again along with all the emotions she manages to evoke in him. Only now Dylan is no longer a little girl, but a beautiful confident woman. It's obvious the spark never died, if anything it's turned into a flame, but no matter how much he loves her he still doesn't believe he will ever be good enough to deserve her love in return. Yet he doesn't seem to be able to walk away either. Will he be willing to take a chance and open his heart up to Dylan? Will he finally try and be the man she needs?
Under the Orange Moon is refreshingly told from a narrator's perspective. I cannot remember the last time I read a story in this fashion and it completely worked for me. I was able to look objectively at the story and to really get a feel for the secondary characters. The narration provides more character interaction, from each of the different brothers and Dylan's mother allowing readers to learn more about both Dylan and Ben as individuals. Being able to see them through other's eyes provided a more interesting perspective into the different elements of the story and situation.
This wasn't a story filled with unnecessary drama nor was a happily ever after ending rushed. I truly appreciated every aspect of Dylan and Ben's struggles from jealousy and insecurity, to keeping their new found love a secret as well as watching them each grow and work through their own problems. When they finally arrived at the HEA it was perfection and I couldn't help but smile through the pages.
Another big plus for me was not being bogged down with unnecessary smut, the story is just so good, and written so beautifully that I was able to feel the desire, passion and love between the two without reading about them expressing it sexually. I guess what I'm saying is I didn't miss this particular aspect because it honestly wasn't needed.
I really loved this book, what can I say...I'm a sucker for childhood friendship turned love. This is a fantastic story, one you really shouldn't pass up. It's about putting yourself out there, being willing to try, fighting for what you want and knowing when to walk away. It's also about love and the bonds of family, even when the bond isn't blood. Fall in love with Ben and Dylan under the orange moon, I promise you won't regret this purchase.
*I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.
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